Snap! awards mark launch of tour

Thursday 30 September 2010

This year's Snap! winners received their awards as a touring exhibition launched

The awards ceremony for Mencap's eighth annual Snap! photo and film competition took place in London's West End on 29 September.

This year, Snap! had a theme of sport and being active, and attracted over 700 entries across nine categories. It was sponsored by FUJIFILM UK Limited and supported by the Sorrell Foundation. The photographs and films – taken by or featuring someone with a learning disability – were of a very high standard and 80 won awards.

The winners were invited to a ceremony at the Curzon Soho cinema, where they were presented with a certificate and a Fuji digital camera. Celebrities, including Mathew Horne, from BBC comedy 'Gavin and Stacey' (pictured, centre), and Jo Joyner and Himesh Patel from 'EastEnders', were on hand to present the awards.

Chris Diedo (pictured, left) won a runner's up prize for his 'Winged man' photograph and his dad, Andrew, received the bronze award in the Sports person category for a picture of Chris. "This is a great competition and a chance to show the world what we can do," said Chris. "Photography puts me in charge."

The event also saw the opening of an exhibition of the winning photographs in London's Soho Square. The exhibition is touring England and Northern Ireland, visiting Belfast (15-23 October), Newcastle (26 October-1 November), Portsmouth (3 November-17 November), Bedford (19 November-3 December), Liverpool (dates to be confimed) and Birmingham (17-25 January 2011).

The 2011 Snap! calendar includes a selection of the photos from the competition, with their accompanying stories. It costs £5.99.

See photos of the awards ceremony and the exhibition

See photos of Snap! on tour in Belfast

See all the winning photos and stories